Hi Class:

I'm not sure how you've studied in the past, or if you've even thought about it, so I'd like to share some tips that I think will be helpful to you going forward. Try to employ the following techniques over the next few days in preparation for an upcoming quiz or even a homework assignment. After that, you can always use the same method for other quizzes and tests.

Oftentimes, students are concerned about memorizing facts rather than understanding the concepts. When you first start out, you're trying to get "the big picture"; the general theme of the chapter. Try skimming through the Chapter Summary (at the end of each chapter of the text). Next, be sure to check out the main chapter landing page (typically the first page of any Module). Read through any chapter notes/outlines that I've posted. If videos are available, watch them.

Finally, turn back to the text. Read the Review Questions at the end of the chapter first. (You're reading the questions so you know which topics to pay attention to in the chapter.) Now you're ready to begin reading the chapter itself. Highlight/make your own notes about topics you find challenging. The idea is to put the reading into words that YOU will understand when you go back and study later. Keep track of any questions that come up, and ASK! Always feel free to post in the Discussion Forum (there's a thread for every chapter/topic) or message me directly.

I suggest you wait to read the chapter straight through because the vocabulary is pretty challenging, so it can be tough to get through it. (I'm a very slow reader, and I know this stuff. It takes me forever to get through the reading!) I simply don't want you to get discouraged and give up. Hopefully, you have a good handle on medical terminology and word parts (at least a few) from General Biology or A & P 1. Now will be the time to build on that. Look up words that you don't know and add them to your notes.

Always go back and review your old assignments. The topics, I mean. Any assignment related to what you are currently studying: a MAP Lab assignment, a Discussion Question, a Quiz (before a Test), etc. These are the topics that will be covered on future quizzes and tests. Make sure you have notes on these topics.

PRACTICE IN MASTERING. The Study Area is available to you at any time; independent of your graded assignments.

When you sit down to study, only study in 25-35 minute blocks of time. You shouldn't be distracted. (I know this is hard, but leave the house if you have to.) Take a 10-15 minute break. Do something else unrelated to school. Lastly, and most importantly, you must return for another 25-35 minute block of studying. It is the return to studying that actually improves retention.

If you don't have this much time during the day, simply shorten the blocks of study time and the break accordingly. Conversely, if you have extra time, tack on an extra block of study time. The key is to stick to the pattern: study, break, study, repeat.

The break is important. Sometimes when we study for 3 hours straight, it works against us. I don't remember anything after the first hour, do you? Really? The return is just as important. Some folks simply never come back from the break or they take an extra-long one. As I mentioned earlier, if you return to studying after the break, it improves your retention.

Try these things, and see how it works. The idea is to try something new if you haven't been getting the results you'd like (on previous assignments).

Hope this helps!

Dr. T.

P.S. Reading and studying are not the same thing. Do a little bit every day. This technique should work for any subject.

Quizzing/Testing Online in Canvas

When you are taking a timed quiz, be sure you use your time wisely. For example, if I've allowed 30 minutes for a quiz, the first thing I'd do is set my phone to alert me in 20 minutes. When the alarm goes off, I know I have 10 more minutes to make my final selections, check my work and click "Submit". (There's nothing worse than the quiz shutting down on you!)

If you happen to have time left over, then check your work. Never leave time on the table! If you have 30 minutes; use it all. If you are allowed to look things up/use your notes, the time to do so is at the end. To clarify, in this class, you are allowed to use your notes during a Canvas quiz, but you will NOT be allowed to use them when you are taking any assessment in class (in person).

This brings me to leaving the Canvas quiz/test page. Try to limit the number of (outside) page views. You want to be sure you've STUDIED and PREPARED ahead of time. In theory, you shouldn't have to look anything up! I mentioned earlier that you are allowed to look things up in this class, but you should save it for the end IF you have time.

In the online world, professors use lock-down browsers, online proctoring systems, require you to answer one question at a time (with no back-tracking), and count the number of times you leave the testing page. I may use some or all of these techniques during the semester, so be mindful.

If you start practicing good study and testing habits now, you'll be experts by the end of the class!